SPEAKERS
Bishop Donald J. Hying, National Episcopal Advisor. The youngest of six sons, Bishop Donald Joseph Hying was born in West Allis, Wisconsin, to parents Albert and Catherine Hying on August 18, 1963. He attended St. Aloysius and Immaculate Heart of Mary grade schools, and Brookfield Central High School. Bishop Hying received his bachelor's degree from Marquette University and his master's degree from St. Francis Seminary.
On May 20, 1989, Bishop Hying was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. His first priestly assignment was as a parochial vicar for St. Anthony Parish, Menomonee Falls, from 1989 to 1994.
Bishop Hying serves as Episcopal Advisor to the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul, as well as Episcopal Liaison for the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. He is also a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People, and the Committee on Catholic Education.
Ralph Middlecamp, National Council President. Ralph is a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. He served as the executive director and CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the District Council of Madison from 1999 until his retirement on July 31, 2017. He began his career with the Society in 1987 as a store general manager. During his 30-year tenure, the number of stores increased to seven, and he developed the Center for Vincentian Charity.
He has served on the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Store Committee and Communication Committee and is on the presenting team of the Society’s national leadership renewal program, Invitation for Renewal. Ralph also is a past member of the International Council General’s Commission for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Frederic Ozanam. In 2017 was elected as National Council President.
Ralph is married to Dr. Cathy Hurt Middlecamp, who is on the faculty of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Tom Pelger, National Vice President, North Central Region. Tom has been a Vincentian since 2010 - - serving as conference member and home visit leader, conference President, Peoria District Council President, National Systemic Change Task Force member, and National Finance Committee member. Tom has conducted Bridges Out of Poverty education, has team-taught the Society’s national Getting Ahead facilitator training webinars; he has served as facilitator, mentor, and Steering Committee Chair in Peoria Council’s Coming Together to Get Ahead program. In October 2017, Tom was elected to the Society’s National Board of Directors as Vice President supporting Vincentians in the North Central Region.
Tom is a father of 3 and a grandfather of 6; was married for 41 years, widowed, and was blessed to marry Sue Prebil in October 2018. Tom was born in Chicago and grew up in Kansas City & St Louis before joining Caterpillar - - working 37 years in sales and marketing while moving 12 times including 18 years outside the U.S. before “retiring” in 2010.
Ray Sickinger, National Leadership Task Force. A member of the Providence College ordinary faculty since September of 197 4, Raymond Sickinger has served in a variety of administrative and teaching positions. Ray is currently Professor Emeritus of History and Public and Community Service Studies, upon retiring from Providence College in December of 2020 after 46 years of service. Ray's research interests in History have revolved around the Nazi-Era in German History, the connection of superstition and folklore in popular culture, and, especially, the impact of faith and service in the case of Frederic Ozanam. In 2018, bis book, Antoine Frederic Ozanam, received first prize for best biography from the National Catholic Press Association.
Ray has been an active member of the Society since 1985. In the past, he has served as a conference president, council president, and Regional Vice President for the Northeast Region. He is currently chair of the Leadership Task Force and a member of the National Board of Directors.
Bishop Quinn. Bishop John M. Quinn was ordained to the priesthood on March 17, 1972, at St. Raymond Parish, Detroit, where he had served as a deacon. He was the Cardinal’s delegate to Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and was an adjunct member of the faculty for 20 years and a part-time spiritual director. Served as the National Episcopal Advisor for SVdP from 2006 to 2017, and is currently serving as the Episcopal Advisor for the National Foundation Board.
Tim Williams, National Formation Director. Tim Williams is the National Director of Formation for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States. Before joining the national staff, he served as 1st Vice President and Senior Formator for the Diocesan Council of Dallas, chaired the Spiritual Advisor Handbook Task Force, and was a member of the National Formation Committee. He has presented on Vincentian Spirituality and Formation at numerous Diocesan, Regional, and National Assemblies. Most importantly, he and his wife have made hundreds of home visits, serving Christ in the person of the poor.
David Winslett, National Vice President, Midwest Region. Dave spent six years as President of the Archdiocesan Council of St. Louis and now is Vice President for the National Council, Midwest Region. David retired from a long career in Corporate Leadership and brings the experience of Corporate Succession Planning and Leadership in a large Archdiocesan Council and Regional Leadership for the Society. David has been a Vincentian for 10 years and is an active member of the SVdP Conference in St. Claire of Assisi in Ellisville, MO. David passionately believes that we ask the wrong questions when recruiting leaders in the Society and his hope is to change the toxic culture that society has to Vincentian Leadership and introduce us to the practical steps we should be taking to develop leadership.
